Composite Pressure Vessel Integrated Mandrel

Abstract

A composite pressure vessel and method of manufacture. A composite pressure vessel comprises a multi-component mandrel that is integrated into the vessel, thereby becoming a permanent part of the pressure vessel, and comprises a cylinder and dome ends. Dome ends are made from custom molds with a fiber reinforced polymer. Components of the mandrel may be pieced together with a joining resin. The mandrel comprises a permeation barrier coated on the inside by spraying with elastomer resin, for example. Filaments are wound onto the mandrel, allowing any length of cylinder section to be made for the pressure vessel.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A composite pressure vessel, comprising:
 A mandrel comprising a body and at least two ends, wherein the mandrel forms an integral part of the pressure vessel; and   an internal permeation barrier.   
     
     
         2 . The composite pressure vessel of  claim 1  wherein the mandrel is filament wound with a composite material. 
     
     
         3 . The composite pressure vessel of  claim 1  wherein the body is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of metals, copper, nickel, aluminum, nonconductors, silicon, carbon, high density polyethylene, polymers, plastics, fiber reinforcements, glass, carbon, nylon, polyester, boron, basalt or ceramic and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The composite pressure vessel of  claim 2  wherein the composite material comprises glass, carbon, nylon, polyester, basalt, boron, nylon, ceramic, polymers or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The composite pressure vessel of  claim 1  wherein the ends form domes. 
     
     
         6 . The composite pressure vessel of  claim 5  wherein the ends are comprised of basalt, carbon, or glass fiber or cloth weave with epoxy, vinyl ester or polyester resin. 
     
     
         7 . The composite pressure vessel of  claim 1  wherein the ends each further comprise a flange to create an overlap joint for securing the ends to the body of the mandrel. 
     
     
         8 . The composite pressure vessel of  claim 1  wherein the ends form openings that are gasketed with fittings. 
     
     
         9 . The composite pressure vessel of  claim 1  wherein the permeation barrier is a spray-on barrier. 
     
     
         10 . The composite pressure vessel of  claim 1  wherein the permeation barrier is selected from the group consisting of elastomers. 
     
     
         11 . A mandrel for a composite pressure vessel, comprising:
 a center portion and at least two end portions, wherein the mandrel forms an integral part of the pressure vessel.   
     
     
         12 . The mandrel of  claim 11  wherein the body is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of metals, copper, nickel, aluminum, nonconductors, silicon, carbon, high density polyethylene, polymers, plastics, fiber reinforcements, glass, carbon, nylon, polyester, boron, basalt, ceramic and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The mandrel of  claim 11  wherein the ends form domes. 
     
     
         14 . The composite pressure vessel of  claim 13  wherein the ends are comprised of glass fiber or cloth weave with vinyl ester or polyester resin. 
     
     
         15 . The mandrel of  claim 11  wherein the domes further comprise a flange for securing the ends to the body of the mandrel. 
     
     
         16 . The mandrel of  claim 11  wherein the ends form openings that are gasketed with fittings. 
     
     
         17 . The mandrel of  claim 11  further comprising a permeation barrier. 
     
     
         18 . The mandrel of  claim 17  wherein the permeation barrier is an elastomer. 
     
     
         19 . A method of making a composite pressure vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
 forming an integrated mandrel from multiple components;   creating a permeation barrier inside the mandrel; and   including the integrated mandrel as part of the pressure vessel.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of forming an integrated mandrel further comprises the step of forming a cylinder and at least two ends, the cylinder having a diameter, an interior and an exterior. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein each end further comprises a flange that is either smaller or larger in diameter than the cylinder and wherein the method further comprises the steps of securing the flanges to either the interior or exterior of the cylinder. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising the step of joining the cylinder and ends with a joining resin. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the joining resin is selected from the group consisting of methacrylate adhesives. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of overwrapping the mandrel with composite fiber. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising the step of supplying port fittings in the ends. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the step of creating a permeation barrier further comprises the step of spraying an elastomer inside the mandrel.